Monster Prick (Screwed, #1.5)(13)

Still inside her, I take a moment to catch my breath, resting above her on my elbows. She cranes her neck to kiss me: chaste, unhurried, affectionate, so different from the desperate passion of a few minutes ago. I return her soft kisses, enjoying the calm after the storm.

Her giggle is a subtle hum against my lips. “I did it,” she says. “Virginity no more.”

“Shall I alert the media?” I chuckle, and get a little bite on the chin for my teasing.

Half of me is already planning how to make our next date even better. The other half is still savoring this moment with Gracie, enveloped in her warmth, her exhausted satisfaction. Face to face.





Chapter Seven


Gracie


“Can you hand me that stack of copies?” Brandon asks.

I limp over to the copy machine and grab the stack of papers, thrusting them into my coworker’s hand before easing myself gently back down into the office chair.

“What’s wrong with you? Hurt yourself over the weekend?” he asks, watching me carefully.

“What? No.” Shit. Was I being that obvious? “It’s just the heels I’m wearing today,” I lie as coolly as I can. “I’m still breaking them in.” At least that part is true.

I’m pleasantly sore between my thighs. Nothing a little Tylenol can’t handle. But geez, how embarrassing. Crossing my legs, I concentrate on the pile of work in front of me, unable to keep a smile off my lips. I’ve been daydreaming about Hudson all morning and my brain feels like mush.

Focus, Gracie. I leaf through the design workbook for the commercial remodel we’re working on. Brandon’s the project leader, only a couple of years older than me; it gives me hope that with hard work and some luck on my side, I’ll be running my own projects in a few years.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and my lips curl into a smile. Hudson spent all morning and half the night sending me sweet messages. I read them all about twenty times. The first one, sent only hours after I left his place, was to check on me and see how I was feeling. At the time, I was still floating on cloud nine and didn’t even realize how sore I was. How my panties clung to my sensitive skin, or how my hips bore the markings of his fingertips.

I look down at a new text from him.

Hudson: How’s your day so far?

I chuckle to myself. Melanie was right about feeling a deeper connection to him after sex, but he also seems to be more connected to me, too. For all the years Hudson’s had my phone number for emergencies or whatever, he’s never texted me. Now he can’t seem to stop himself. Not that I’m complaining. I would've died of curiosity wondering what he was thinking about—specifically, whether or not he was still thinking of me after our night together.

Gracie: I’m feeling okay. Last night was kind of crazy.

Hudson: I had fun. His response arrives almost instantly.

I can’t believe we actually did it. I actually crossed the big V-card off my to-do list...and with Hudson Stone. A silly smile forms on my lips.

Once definitely isn't enough. I want to do that again. I’m not sure what he’ll think if I admit that I want to see him again so quickly. He said “three times” before...but now that he got what he wanted, is he done with me? He might refuse, but considering that I’m still on a happy buzz, I risk the letdown.

Gracie: When can we meet up again?

I hold my breath, waiting to see what he’ll write back. Several minutes pass and my stomach sinks. Shit. Why did I have to push things too far? He offered to help me get rid of my virginity, not to become a regular occurrence in my life. Then my phone vibrates again and my heart jumps into my throat.

Hudson: Sorry, I was talking to your brother.

The feeling of ice-water rushing through my veins reminds me of what a terrible idea this is. I should just cut my losses now and move on. Then he texts again.

Hudson: Come over tonight.

My fingers can’t type fast enough.

Gracie: Okay. What time?

I peek up at Brandon, hoping he hasn’t noticed my new smartphone addiction. His furrowed brow as he stares down at a rendering says no.

Hudson: Any time after six. I can order in dinner.

Sex and a meal? My new favorite combination. With a smile on my lips, I get back to work, knowing my evening looks promising.



*



Knowing I had plans with Hudson tonight made the workday drag by incredibly slowly. Finally five o’clock rolls around, and I grab my purse and scurry to the exit. I want to go home first and freshen up before heading to his place. When I arrive at my apartment, I rush inside and fly through the small space like a crazed person. Brushing my teeth, and touching up my makeup so I look refreshed.

Now I’m waiting on his doorstep. As I bring my hand up to knock, terrified regret flashes through me. What am I doing here? Was Melanie right all along? Is this going to end in a terrible crash-and-burn scenario, where I’m just a heartbroken shell of my former self when it’s all over?

When Hudson opens the door, I’m greeted by the smell of roasting chicken and my stomach growls, perking right up. The stale peanut butter and jelly I had for lunch was a long time ago. And the sight of Hudson with a dishtowel slung over one shoulder, wearing a plain gray T-shirt and jeans, is a very nice one. Oddly sexy and domestic at the same time, like he's welcoming me home.